catch up - Halloween, and newly crawling!

This lovely outfit evolved over time.  Started with the tank top, then lost the pants, but added flip flops, too-small-of-hat, and the attractive dog chain :)  Perfect outfit for playing outside in the dirt.

we tried a potty party to help her get the idea of using the potty.  Hasn't been too successful yet.

We had a fun Halloween.  Makayla loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so I found her a Minnie Mouse dress.  Later, I happened across another Minnie Mouse dress in Brynn's size, so we had 2 Minnies.  They were cute.  Makayla didn't let me paint her nose black. 

Our church had a Trunk or Treat.  It was very well attended and busy.  Makayla had a good time.  She went about half way around the loop of cars, and then came back to our car for a break and helped hand out candy. 



November flew by.  Thanksgiving was a small gathering at our home.  Hannah and Ashlyn were in town and we also had Uncle Richard over.  I was able to take the 3 older girls to the Science Center, where we had fun with the hands on activities. 

Mark is almost done with school.  Yay!!  I'm soooo excited for him.  I think he is more nervous than excited.  It's hard to believe that 4 months is almost up.  He has been doing very well in his classes, with the testing.  He enjoys the material that he is learning, and has great goals for the future.  We are hoping and praying that he flies through the national exam as he has on the classroom exams and that he lands a job quickly.

This was a sad day, when Brynn fell face-first onto the garage floor.  I felt really bad.  Bad mommy.  She got a fat bruised upper lip.  At one point, it looked like some exaggerated lipstick makeup.

forget taking the shirt all the way off, just take it up to make a hat

Brynn is such a joy.  She is a happy little thing.  She has given up all baby foods and is just on finger foods or table foods at this point.  I love watching her meet the milestones.  This week she started to crawl.  Yay!  (Makayla never crawled, so this is particularly exciting for me).  I tried to load a video, but after hours of waiting, and 3 failed attempts, I'll try again another day.

Another post in the same month. . . this is amazing

This is a rare thing, that I actually post twice in one month.  I guess that's what happens when I have a quiet Sunday afternoon.  Should be taking a nap instead . . .

There is a media push in the Phoenix area from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is the "I'm a Mormon" campaign.  We've seen a few TV commercials and billboards.  I submitted my profile to www.mormon.org, but it hasn't been posted yet.  I'll let you know when it gets cleared.  You should check out the website if you haven't already. Lots of videos and profiles.  I'm excited about the campaign.  I've had one conversation about it at work with a co-worker of mine, because I posted a link to a local newspaper ad article on my facebook page.  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/article_25579d4a-ebbe-11e0-8a62-001cc4c03286.html. 
I was reminded again of the miracle of Brynn's birth.  This last week I had my well woman exam, and my doctor said, "oh here's the famous Karen Freeman".  Because Brynn's placenta was abnormal, which made for an immediate c/section when she was 36 weeks, we became the case scenario around the hospital.  My doctor took pictures of the placenta because it is rare, abnormal, and can cause the baby's death.  She reminded me that the cool thing about Brynn was that she is a miracle of medical technology.  I'm sooooo grateful that God gave us the abilities to check babies, and gave doctors the knowledge of how to take care of us so that Brynn's life was preserved.

Things are going well for me at work.  I enjoy working my 3 days per week.  They can be busy, and I get behind on my charting, but luckily, if I have time at home, I can finish my charting here.  Makayla and Brynn seem to be doing well at the babysitter's, although I think that they just sleep better at home.  I enjoy being able to take care of them for 4 full days per week, and give them the chance to nap well at home. 

Mark's work is still pretty challenging for him.  He just doesn't like it.  I think that helps him with his motivation to move on to another career.  He is in school to become a personal trainer.  He enjoys learning about fitness, and he is applying the knowledge to his own workouts.  He has been losing weight and looking better.  I'm very proud of him.  He gets nervous about the tests at school, and they are challenging for him, so any prayers on his behalf or encouraging emails to him would be much appreciated!

Makayla found some extra sunglasses in a junk drawer, and wanted us to wear them

We are looking forward to Halloween.  Makayla is ready with her Minnie Mouse dress.  I happened to find another Minnie Mouse outfit in Brynn's size, so we will have 2 Minnies for Halloween.  I don't think Makayla really understands what it is all about, but I have a hunch that when the candy starts to fill her pumpkin, that she'll figure out what "trick or treat" means.